What's got your juices flowing?

Err, scratch that.  I don't want to know.  Really, unless it is alcoholic grape juice...then I do want to know.

As we progress into fall, a time here in the Willamette Valley where it rains...and rains...and rains, the aforementioned rain (did I mention rain enough times?) also means that the staff of The Oregon Wine Blog spend more time doing what we do best:  hunkering down inside, drinking, and writing about wine.  OK, so maybe we don't do it *best*, but you're reading this, aren't you?  I rest my case.

As a preview to an awesome fall and winter, I wanted to share a few of the things that have my juices flowing here in the Corvallis branch of the blog:

1. Wine.  Duh, right?  Towards the end of the summer, my rack was getting frighteningly empty because frankly, Rick and I drank a lot of it.  Then I moved, and drank more of it.  Less wine coming through the door than going down the hatch and into the toilet creates a negative outflow that just had to be rectified.  Don't worry, it has.  I have some awesome samples from Southern Oregon that I'm excited to write about, as well as Northern Idaho and a solid lineup of Eastern Washington and Willamette Valley wines.  There's a little something special on the kitchen table waiting for the weekend, too.  No, it isn't brownies.
2.  Beer.  As we speak, I have a Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout in my hand.  It's not wine, but it gets the job done!
3. Travel.  Today, I'm headed to Vancouver, BC.  I hear they have some wine there.  While this trip won't bring time for wineries, I'll be back in February and plan on fully taking advantage of the region.  Watch out, Canadians!  I've also got a trip to Spokane and Sandpoint on the docket soon, hoping to check out the Nectar Tasting Room, Pend d'Orielle Cellars,  and old favorites Latah Creek and Barrister.  I'll be in Ashland and Red Mountain in November, oh my, and have a secret plan in my head for Rick and I to rock Portland in the near future.  I'm buzzed just thinking about all this foolishness!

So there you have it - the things that have me revved up for the rainy season.  What are you excited about?  Hit us back with a comment.  Oh, and if you have any great ideas of places for me to hit during the travels described above, share that too!